WCDP Election Central – Candidate Information
Tara Waters
Wake County Board of Commissioners
District 05
Candidate Statement:
At the core of a successful community is affording all its members the opportunity to have their basic needs met. Affordable housing in all 12 municipalities is my number one priority. I support government-led initiatives, offering tax incentives to developers who build affordable housing, as well as increasing funding for affordable housing programs. Access to health care impacts everyone. The benefits are numerous because of improved health outcomes, creation of jobs, and other economic benefits. Public schools provide education to students from all walks of life, regardless of their race, gender, or economic status. Strong public schools contribute significantly to the growth and development of future generations.
Importance of this Race:
We need Democrats to continue their service on the Board, protecting our families and controlling growth in our county. Its seven Democratic members oversee a budget of $2 billion. The NC General Assembly passed a law in 2023 specifically to make it easier for Republicans to get elected to the Wake County Board of Commissioners. The Board is currently reflective of the heavily Democratic-leaning Wake County electorate. Ceding seats on the Board could open the door to ultraconservative members pushing extreme agendas, instead of representing the best interests of Wake County residents.
Office Responsibilities:
- The Wake County Board of Commissioners sets the County’s property tax rate and the annual budget.
- It regulates land use and zoning outside municipal jurisdictions.
- The seven-member Board oversees a budget of $2 billion.